Perfecting the Pie Crust

Light and flaky crusts, the foundation of perfect pies, are within your reach with the help of chef and pie expert Evan Kleiman.

The perfect pie crust is something of a work of art, not only visually but also technically. With Evan’s instruction, you will gain the skills necessary to conquer crust, the foundation for making luscious fruit pies or hearty savory pies. Evan also shares her decorating techniques, including crimping, creating appliqués and building beautiful lattice crusts. Straightforward instruction and Evan’s encouragement will make mastering this technique easy as pie!

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Getting Started

Meet Evan Kleiman and learn about the tools and ingredients needed to make the perfect pie.

35:56

Lesson 2. Making Pie Dough

Learn how to make perfect pie dough with butter, shortening or even lard, using a variety of methods.

26:45

Lesson 3. Rolling Out the Dough

Learn how to roll out your dough without overworking it, place it in your plate without tearing it and add the perfect crimped edge.

19:39

Lesson 4. Blind-Baked Crust

Partially bake a crust the right way and then fill it to make a delicious brown butter, maple and yam pie.

18:16

Lesson 5. Thickeners

Explore how using thickeners — flour, cornstarch, tapioca starch or ClearJel — can dramatically change the consistency and taste of your pie.

28:00

Lesson 6. Pie Decorating

Add a top crust to your pie and then decorate it with tantalizing baked appliqués. Then learn to make picture-perfect lattice tops.

29:19

Lesson 7. The Ultimate Apple Pie

Evan shares her recipe for mouthwatering double-crusted apple pie. Learn which apples, thickeners and spices to use, then bake it to perfection.

"I found this class very good. I was amazed at how well the pastry turned out, even though some of the methods went completely against how I had been taught to make pastry in the past! Evan explains every stage in great detail and even makes sure to emphasize important points. All the stages are shown very clearly, so you have no doubt as to what your pastry should look like at that stage. Evan was extremely helpful and quick to answer. If you want to perfect your pastry making and demystify some of the steps, then this is the class to do. " - ChefitelliEngland

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Lesson 1. Getting Started

Meet Evan Kleiman and learn about the tools and ingredients needed to make the perfect pie.

35:56

Lesson 2. Making Pie Dough

Learn how to make perfect pie dough with butter, shortening or even lard, using a variety of methods.

26:45

Lesson 3. Rolling Out the Dough

Learn how to roll out your dough without overworking it, place it in your plate without tearing it and add the perfect crimped edge.

19:39

Lesson 4. Blind-Baked Crust

Partially bake a crust the right way and then fill it to make a delicious brown butter, maple and yam pie.

18:16

Lesson 5. Thickeners

Explore how using thickeners — flour, cornstarch, tapioca starch or ClearJel — can dramatically change the consistency and taste of your pie.

28:00

Lesson 6. Pie Decorating

Add a top crust to your pie and then decorate it with tantalizing baked appliqués. Then learn to make picture-perfect lattice tops.

29:19

Lesson 7. The Ultimate Apple Pie

Evan shares her recipe for mouthwatering double-crusted apple pie. Learn which apples, thickeners and spices to use, then bake it to perfection.

The instructor

Evan Kleiman, Instructor of Perfecting the Pie Crust

A “culinary multitasker,” Evan is a cookbook author (Cucina Fresca, Pasta Fresca, et al.), radio and podcast host (“Good Food”), consultant, teacher and restaurateur. In 2009, Evan created the Pie-A-Day project, chronicling the baking of a different pie every day for the entire summer. Now in its fifth year, the project concludes each summer with a pie-baking contest in Los Angeles that includes over 280 entries and 2,000 attendees.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(42 reviews)

Immediate success

by Doowtan on March 20, 2015

I have learned so much! My first two pie crusts were the best I have ever made and I did not feel overwhelmed at all. Thank you!

I have learned so much! My first two pie crusts were the best I have ever made and I did not feel overwhelmed at all. Thank you!

Very Thorough Instructions And Explanation

by Christine Loofboro on March 9, 2015

The class so far is very thorough. Evan explains the techniques and reasons for using certain ingredients very well.

The class so far is very thorough. Evan explains the techniques and reasons for using certain ingredients very well.

Fantastic!

by tama* on February 21, 2015

Great class :)Can't wait to try.

Great class :)Can't wait to try.

Easy and Fun class for perfecting the pie crust

by carriet on February 17, 2015

I loved this class...I will watch it over and over and make many pies! Ive always made horrible pies but those days are long gone!

I loved this class...I will watch it over and over and make many pies! Ive always made horrible pies but those days are long gone!